Police search unearths potential Jovin evidence

JULIA TIERNAN/YH The search for Suzanne Jovin's killer intensified as police hung posters from Old Campus to the crime scene.

The discovery of an owner's motor vehicle manual might be the latest clue in a murder mystery--but that depends on
who you ask.

On Sun., Apr. 18, a local group of metal detector enthusiasts, the Nutmeg Treasure Hunters, teamed up with the New Haven Police Department (NHPD) in the third search of the area where Suzanne Jovin was killed on Fri., Dec. 4. A member of the group found the manual in a wooded area on St. Ronan Street--half a mile from the scene of the crime and 100 feet from the apartment of Yale Political Science Lecturer James Van de Velde, ES '82. In January, the police named Van de Velde in a "pool of suspects" in Jovin's death.

The New Haven Register reported on Tues., Apr. 20, that police sources "described the finding as potentially important." In fact, investigators returned to the area where the manual was found and proceeded to search four storm sewers along the road for several hours on Mon., Apr. 19. NHPD spokesperson Judy Mongillo, however, declined to comment on any potential link between the evidence and the Jovin murder.

State Commissioner Dr. Henry Lee has been personally examining the evidence in the Jovin case, but his laboratory has not yet seen the latest piece of evidence. Lee, whose laboratory assists the NHPD, confirmed that the last test his lab conducted for this case was on the fibers of Jovin's fleece jacket. He said that so far his lab has examined "around 10 pieces of evidence in the Jovin case," but he would not comment on the results in the event that the case goes to trial.

Barry Scheck, DC '71, criminal defense attorney and law professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, explained, "The age of the manual is not in and of itself a disqualifying factor. It depends on what linkage they can show to the crime or to the scene of crime." In Scheck's opinion, the NHPD has a treasure in Lee's forensic lab. "If I were them, I'd rely on Dr. Lee as much as possible," he said. "He's a genius."

David Grudberg, Van de Velde's attorney, has a very different opinion on the significance of the manual. In response to the speculation concerning the new evidence, Grudberg issued a statement on behalf of his client on Tues., Apr. 20, condemning recent reports in the local media and explaining why the manual was lying in the woods. According to the statement, "In October 1998, a thief broke into Mr. Van de Velde's vehicle, and attempted to steal his car stereo/CD player." The statement reports that the owner's manual of the car and the stereo faceplate were never recovered following the robbery. Grudberg's statement also claims that his client told the story of the robbery to several people right after it occurred in October.

Grudberg's statement urges the general public, media, and police to consider how the impact of irresponsible speculation unfairly destroys Van De Velde's reputation. It also states that the murder might never be solved unless NHPD officials "change their approach to the investigation."

While Grudberg's statement calls the Nutmeg Treasure Hunters "amateur," Nutmeg founder Arthur G. Kohloff explained that his group handles evidence in a professional manner and never touches evidence when called upon to work with police. He said that the NHPD sought the assistance of group members at their monthly club meeting on Tues., Apr. 8. Kohloff reported that during Sunday's search, the group stumbled upon the manual under some leaves.

Former NHPD Chief Nicholas Pastore, who served from 1990 to 1997, believes increased interaction between police and the Yale community is key to solving the Jovin murder. He said, "I believe that there's someone out there with pertinent information." Although the recent issuing of a $50,000 reward and the assistance of the Nutmeg Treasure Hunters to find new evidence in the Jovin case might make it appear that the police are becoming desperate, Pastore said, "community engagement keeps a case alive." He also does not think that the NHPD's resources are strained in any way.

As the investigation has progressed, the Jovins have kept in fairly regular contact with Yale faculty members and administrators. Political Science Lecturer Charles Hill, who served as Jovin's advisor for her second senior essay, confirmed, "Mr. Jovin has been in touch with me frequently." University Secretary Linda Lorimer, LAW '77, said that the members of the Administration that the Jovins have had the most contact with were her and Assistant Secretary Martha Highsmith, who has overseen crime and security for the past four years.

Yale College Dean Richard Brodhead, BR '68, GRD '72, declined to comment on whether Van de Velde will resume teaching at Yale. Lorimer said, "The University continues to cooperate in every way requested by the New Haven Police Department."

Zoe Konovalov contributed to this article.

Back to News...